Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions. Just click the tab to expand the content.

Questions About Connecting RELiZORB

How does RELiZORBconnect? Is it easy?
RELiZORB is easy to use. It quickly connects in-line to the enteral tube feeding system after the tube feeding pump connector and before connection to the patient. Learn more about how to use RELiZORB here.

How do I know if I have connected RELiZORB properly?
If you are not experiencing any leakage from the connection, then the connection is tight and you have connected RELiZORB properly.

What is RELiZORB?
RELiZORB is a digestive enzyme cartridge that contains the enzyme lipase. RELiZORB is used with enteral tube feeding to help break down the fats. Lipases are enzymes that are normally made in the body to break down (digest) fats (triglycerides) into an absorbable form (fatty acids and monoglycerides). The lipase enzyme used in RELiZORB is attached to the white beads (iLipase), which are visible through the side of the cartridge.

What does RELiZORB do?
Properly breaking down (digesting) and absorbing fats is important for normal growth and development. RELiZORB contains a digestive enzyme called lipase that breaks down fats in enteral tube feeding formula into an absorbable form. It does this before the formula even reaches your body.

How will RELiZORB help with my enteral tube feedings?
You or the patient you care for may need enteral tube feeding to gain or maintain weight because of trouble breaking down (digesting) and absorbing the fats needed. During laboratory testing, RELiZORB has been shown to break down fats in enteral tube feeding formulas. RELiZORB may help to break down fats in enteral tube feeding formula before it goes into the body, so the fats are absorbable. In clinical studies, RELiZORB was shown to increase the amount of fat that the body absorbs from enteral tube feeding formulas, particularly omega-3 fats.

Why doesn’t my formula contain absorbable fats?
Fats that are broken down into their absorbable form are not stable and spoil quickly. Therefore, enteral tube feeding formulas are made with fat in triglyceride form, which does not spoil as quickly but also is not absorbable by the body. RELiZORB breaks down the fats into absorbable forms (fatty acids and monoglycerides) during enteral tube feeding.

What pumps can be used with RELiZORB?
RELiZORB must be used with enteral tube feeding pumps that have low flow/no flow alarms. RELiZORB has not been tested for use with gravity feed systems (systems that have no pumps). A detailed listing of pumps, enteral feeding pump tubing sets and patient extension sets tested with RELiZORB can be found here.

What formulas may be used with RELiZORB?
RELiZORB was tested in a laboratory with different enteral tube feeding formulas. During laboratory testing, RELiZORB was able to break down more than 90% of the fats into their absorbable forms for most of the formulas tested. These tests were done with 500 mL of formula with an enteral tube feeding pump set at a high flow rate of 120 mL/hour. The same or better fat breakdown was shown when RELiZORB was used with volumes lower than 500 mL and flow rates as low as 24 mL/hour. A detailed listing of formulas tested with RELiZORB can be found here.

How much formula can each RELiZORB be used for?
Each RELiZORB may be used for up to 500 mL of enteral tube feeding formula. If you use less than 500 mL of formula in a feeding, you must throw away the RELiZORB after use. For enteral tube feeding formula volumes greater than 500 mL and up to 1000 mL you can connect two RELiZORBs together in a tandem configuration. Learn more about Tandem Relizorb here.

Can I add medicines to my feeding when I’m using RELiZORB?
If you need to add medications to the tube feeding line, they must be added to the line AFTER RELiZORB. Medicines or saline flushes may be added to the side port of a Y-connector extension set located between RELiZORB and the patient.

DO NOT place medicines in the enteral tube feeding bag or anywhere else before the RELiZORB cartridge. Passing medicines through RELiZORB may change how the medicine works or how RELiZORB breaks down fats. If you accidentally add medicines or flush solutions before RELiZORB, then the RELiZORB and all tubing and formula must be thrown away. You may restart feeding using a new RELiZORB and feeding set.

Can RELiZORB be used more than once?
No. Do not reuse RELiZORB. Each RELiZORB should only be used once. At the end of the feeding, throw away the RELiZORB. RELiZORB may not break down fats properly if it is reused.

How many RELiZORBs can I use in a day?
Do not use more than two (2) RELiZORBs in a day (24-hour period). You can use two RELiZORBs, one right after the other, or space out the timing of their use.

Is RELiZORB covered by my health insurance?
Your RELiZORB Support Services Program Coordinator can help see whether RELiZORB is covered by your health insurance.

How will I get RELiZORB?
Once your doctor prescribes RELiZORB, and you complete the Patient Enrollment Form, you will be contacted by RELiZORB Support Services to get all the information necessary to get you started on RELiZORB and to make sure you receive shipments as expected. If you have any questions, call RELiZORB Support Services at 1-844-632-9271.

What if I can’t afford the co-pay for RELiZORB?
For eligible patients with commercial health insurance, the RELiZORB Out-of-Pocket Assistance Program assists with out-of-pocket expenses, which can include co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Enrollment in the program is subject to confirmation of eligibility. RELiZORB Support Services will review your commercial health insurance benefits, and if you are eligible, you will be enrolled in the program.